In this edition, you'll find lots of great advice, tips and data aimed at preparing you for a career in game development. That includes the results of Gamasutra's most recent industry-wide salary survey, which offers useful learnings to indie and AAA developers alike.

Here's a taste of what you'll learn: In 2013, salaried game developers in the U.S. made an average of $83,060 last year, down 2 percent from the year prior.

Business and management salaries topped all other disciplines once again this year, averaging $101,572, followed by audio professionals ($95,682) and programmers ($93,251). Quality assurance professionals earned the lowest average salary at $54,833.

Here are some of the other disciplines covered (U.S.):

Business and management: $101,572

Audio professionals: $95,682

Programmers: $93,251

Artists and animators: $74,349

Producers: $82,286

Game designers: $73,864

Quality Assurance: $54,833

In Canada, salaried game developers, including all disciplines, made an average annual salary of USD $71,445 (up 9 percent year-on-year) in 2013, whereas Europe-based game developers made USD $46,232 (flat).

Would-be indie developers, take note: non-salaried solo independent game developers made an average of $11,812 (down 49 percent year-on-year) last year, while individual members of an indie team made an average of $50,833 (up 161 percent). However, do note that these averages do not take into account indies who made less than $10,000, or over $200,000.

The drop in solo salaries seems troubling, while the rise in indie team salaries seems promising. But be careful in making assumptions about this data when evaluating your career options -- We’ve found that average indie salaries are prone to big fluctuations over the years.